Wearing My Heart On My... T-Shirt?

I love my new t-shirt.  The colour is great, and it's a nice, light material... perfect for summer.  Plus I dig the quote on it: "Can't Explain Love."  My only gripe is that because the material is so thin you can see my bra, but I guess I could layer a tank under it.  Anyways, I got it at American Eagle.  I don't usually shop there but they were having this crazy, super sale where almost everything in the store was marked down and then they had 35% off of the last ticketed price.  The shirt ended up being like $6- SCORE!  I know I will get a lot of wear out of it.

Day 8 & 9 - Eat Sea Salt Chocolate; Play "Things"

Day 8 - Eat Sea Salt Chocolate

It was 10pm and I was running short on time so I went to the grocery store down the street to hunt for some inspiration.  I was craving something sweet so I started scanning the snack foods and came across the Sea Salt Chocolate... I have never consumed Sea Salt Chocolate.  It was a $4 chocolate bar (gasp!) but I figured it would satisfy my need for a sinful treat.  It was delicious dark chocolate, but I couldn't really pick up on any saltiness.

Day 9- Play "Things"

Last night I went to a party and I really didn't know anyone there. Being in a group of 20+ strangers is a bit terrifying for me.  I am generally friendly and outgoing, and make friends easily, but when I have 20 people's names to remember, and 20 people to make small talk with I get a bit intimidated.  Thankfully I had a few Heineken before I got there and that took the edge off, haha.  I saw a group gathered around the kitchen table playing a board game.  Anyone who knows me know that I love board games, and I am slightly competitive, so I was all over that.  The game is called "Things" (or "The Game of Things" or "Things in a Box") and it is HILARIOUS!  You draw a card and it will say an awesome topic like "things your parents forgot to tell you" or "things you shouldn't do in the shower" then everyone (anonymously) writes their answer on a piece of paper.  The answers are then read out loud and you have to guess who said what, and are awarded points if you are correct.  It's the perfect party game, I totally want to purchase it!

Day 6 & 7- Climb a Mountain +Smoke Shisha; Drink Scotch

Day 6- Climb a Mountain + Smoke Shisha

I've never climbed an entire mountain from the bottom to the very top.  I have cheated before and drove halfway up to climb to the top, but I have never done the entire thing.

My friend Mark suggested that we go for a hike and climb Knox Mountain in Kelowna.  Knox is a popular place for both hikers and bikers and has trails that will cater to most people's fitness ability.  Mark is sort of an extremist, and also quite physically fit and active, so it didn't surprise me at all when he was taking me on trails where I was crawling up on my hands and knees trying my absolute best not to fall backwards and plummet to my death.  I was swearing at him.  I was dry heaving.  I was covered in dirt.  I was hating my life.  I believe that I was actually called a 'Diva'- haha. However, I kept pushing and eventually made it to the top.  It was one of the best feelings that I have felt in a long time.

So once Mark and I were at the top we strolled over to the kiosk to take a look at the view.  Sitting there was an unshaven, shaggy haired lad who was wearing a plaid Grateful Dead shirt, and reading a book.  After some small talk he unzipped his backpack and pulled out a hooka and asked us if we wanted to smoke shisha with him.  SCORE! Another thing that I have never done!  It was quite windy at the top of Knox, but we did manage to get it going, and the flavour was Coconut & Coca Cola- very random but quite delicious!

Day 7- Drink Scotch

Shelly, Moi, Jay

 I've never drank scotch, which is quite surprising because I have ( at one time or another ) consumed almost ever liquor under the sun.  To celebrate our last day of our acute care practicum, some classmates and I went to a local pub on the lake (Rose's) to enjoy some food and beverages.  I know nothing about Scotch, but ordered it anyways, and asked the server to bring me something popular.  She brought me Glenfiddich Special Reserve 12 Year.  Oh, and I got it on the rocks- I felt bad ass.




Having never consumed scotch before I didn't know a thing about it, and don't have anything to compare it to.  However, I thought it was OK and now I know that I can enjoy a glass of scotch when I go out with my faux-sophisticate friends.  Would I drink it everyday? 
Absolutely not.  Am I glad that I tired it? Definitely.

Brandi's Manifesto

1) The only thing that stays the same is change.  Try your best to roll with it.

2) Mistakes are important for growth, see them as a positive and learn from them.

3) If you need to cry, cry.  For me, holding back tears is the worst feeling in the world.

4) Sometimes running away from your problems isn't a bad thing.  Sometimes removing yourself from the environment that harboured the problem allows you to put things in perspective; running away does not make you weak.

5) We're all a little weird.

6) Always be open to trying new things.  As cliched as it sounds, variety really is the spice of life.

7) What you put out into the world you get back- pay it forward.

8) People are born. People die.

9) When first meeting people offer a firm handshake and make eye contact.  Always.  No exceptions.

10) Give second chances, but never thirds.

11) Be kind to yourself.

12) Be a good friend, be there for them when they really need you.

13) You are responsible for your own feelings, others are not.  You have a CHOICE in how you feel, so CHOOSE to feel good.

14) Spend money on experiences instead of possessions.  Objects get old, broken, lost... memories last forever.

15) Be the first person to say sorry, but don't say it unless you actually mean it.

16) If you wake up in the morning and say to yourself "today will be a good day," it will be a good day.

Day 5- Pull a Hemovac

Today during practicum at the hospital I got to do something I have never done before: Pull out a hemovac!

Hemovac: A catheter (drain) that is inserted into a surgical wound and is used to suction out fluids, such a blood. It can be inserted fairly deep into the body- the one I pulled out today was probably out 15"... Pretty exciting, I love getting the chance to utilize my skills at the hospital! It is probably one of the easiest things I have ever done, you just pull it in one fluid motion and then apply pressure to the place it's removed from (this will stop the bleeding) - here is what a hemovac looks like... so cool, haha!



















Photos Courtesy of http://bevnscott.blogspot.com

Day 4- Wear Hot Pink Lipstick

Although I have owned hot pink lipstick for some time I have never actually worn it. When I go out and get dressed up I always like to put more emphasis on my eyes, so I usually opt for a nude lip... Today I decided to bust out the hottest pink I owned and here is the result:

The colour is Fuchsia Fusion by Revlon and I bought it at Walmart for super-duper cheap.

I think I might like it.

Days 2 & 3- Take a Pic in a Bikini, Post It on Facebook + Drink a Whiskey Sour

Day Two: Take a Picture In a Bikini. Post it on Facebook.




So I decided to do something that I never, ever imagined that I would have the courage to do: take a picture of myself in a bikini and post it on Facebook for hundreds to see.

For some this may not seem like a big deal, but for me it is. For most of my life I have stuggled with self confidence at honestly believed that I was ugly and disgusting because I wasn't a size two. No matter what my friends or family said I felt repulsive.

That all changed about a year ago.

I don't know if it's because I am getting older, or just growing more comfortable in my skin, but I stopped obsessing. I stopped looking at myself in such a negative way and started to see myself as others did: smart, funny, kind, beautiful.

Now I know that I am not what society would consider as "sexy" but I feel sexy, and I feel good about myself. Sure some days I dislike my body and wish I had Beyonce's abs (damn!) but as soon as I start doing that I STOP MYSELF.

Self hate is NOT OK, and women are especially horrible to themselves. Posting this is taking everything I have in me, but I really want everyone to know that they are so much more than the size tag on their dress. Don't let society or ignorant people determine how you feel about yourself, please. You are amazing, you are beautiful.


Day 3: Drink a Whiskey Sour

I never drink whiskey, but this is my new favorite drink. Delicious!

Day 1 of The 30 Day Challenge- Paint a Picture

I've decided that I am going to take one some time off dating. Thinking back to the last 6 years of my life (ah, the early 20s- the glory years) I haven't spent much time alone. Maybe a month or two here or there but that's it. Pathetic, hey? I have gotten so used to being 'with' someone that I have horrible issues doing things by myself, awful!

Also, I've decided that I am going to do my own "30 Day Challenge." I feel like I am in a funk lately and really need to find a hobby so my plan is each day for the next month I am going to do one thing that I have never done before (or perhaps haven't done in a really long time)- just something outside of my normal routine... FUN!

Today, Friday July 8th, I decided to paint. After I was done my practicum shift at the hospital I came home with full intentions of taking a nap (I hate getting up at 5am, and by early afternoon I am totally beat). However, I spent so much of the last week sleeping (I was sick, and feeling sorry for myself) that I really didn't want to waste a Friday afternoon sleeping. I decided to paint. I haven't painted since I was about 14. I was never really great at it, but I did take Art in school for easy credits and remembered enjoying it. I drove over to Michael's and picked up my supplies. This is what I came up with:

So it's a tree.... with a quote by Keats. I am quite fond of Keats and have been since my high school English Literature class. Actually, I am quite fond of any of the poets from the Romantic era. Anyways...

I guess I am sort of proud of it, I mean I know it's off centre... and the font is sort of fucked up... but I did it. Also, my friend Jolene said that she wanted it to hang in her apartment and that sort of made me feel good. To be honest it probably just would have ended up in my storage bin, so knowing that she wants to put it up makes me happy.

So, that's what I did today: painted.

I enjoyed it but I can't see it being something I would do that often, my ADHD is far too bad to sit there and paint. That stupid picture took me HOURS and you'd never be able to tell...

On to day two tomorrow!

Fuck.

"Cock Sauce" - My Addiction

Sort of a random post but Sriracha Sauce is fucking amazing. It's a Thai inspired sauce that is made of chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. Also, it has a huge 'cock' on the front of the bottle (hence why I call it Cock Sauce). It's like crack, I can't get enough of it.

I put it on EVERYTHING.

Hard Boiled Eggs, Avocados, Salmon, Chickpeas, Quinoa, Crackers.... AHHH!

I finished an entire bottle last month, this one is starting to get low quickly also... One teaspoon is about 5 calories and a little goes a long, long way so it's also a good way to amp up flavor without adding a crazy amount of calories. Plus, a large bottle of it is under $3 so even my poor, student ass can afford this addiction (way cheaper than smoking, or crack)... LOVE!

Products That I Can't Live Without

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I am F*cking Poor- Take 1

So it's tricky to indulge in all things beautiful when I am a starving student. RAWR!

Before going back to school, I would walk into a store, see something I liked, disregard the price, and buy it. Alas, times have changed and I am on a (gasp!) strict student budget. In the past I did not spend a ridiculous amount on clothing or accessories; I do not own a Chanel bag or Louboutin pumps, but I really love clothing from Lacoste, Diesel, BCBG, and Juicy Couture (sometimes, haha, and NOT the velour tracksuits- SICK).  Sadly, they're all out of my price range now. But, I have learned that being frugal isn't so bad, and you can still find some really cute stuff, plus I sort of like the hunt :)

Today I went and got my roots touched up and my bangs trimmed, then decided to wander around the mall for something fabulous. After shopping for what seemed like FOREVER I left the mall with a great pair of shoes and 3 summer hats.

The outfit is pretty basic, something that I would throw on if I was going shopping on a lazy day. The weather has been shit here lately, hence the jacket in mid June- it seems I am always wearing a jacket and expecting rain -boo!

Hat: Ardene's- $3.33 ( Three for $10 )



Black Top: Who knows? Had it forever

White Shorts: Suzy Shier- $14.99

Denim Jacket: Thifted

Wedge Shoes: Urban Planet- $19.99




On a side note... I really need someone to take pictures of my outfits for me...this self timer shit in my creepy basement just isn't going to work!

Adios Amigos,

Brandi

Greetings!

Hello. Bonjour. Konnichiwa.

Welcome to my blog. Perhaps it's time for some background information...

My name is Brandi but my friends call me Brandiddy, B, or Branz and I am new to the blog business. I am a 24yr old Nursing Student from the sunny Okanagan in British Columbia, Canada. You see, I used to have a YouTube Channel but in the last 8 months I have neglected it... I miss having my own cyberspace and I thought a blog might be more my forte.

Enjoy, bitches.